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Released May 10, 2016 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The troubles assailing French engineering giant AREVA S.A. (EPA:AREVA) (Paris, France) continue to mount as the company has admitted that "irregularities" have been found in roughly 400 components used in the nation's nuclear power plants (NPPs) since 1965.
The company, which has provided the nuclear technology for most of the country's 58 operational reactors, told France's nuclear authority Autorite de Surete Nucleaire (ASN) that around 50 of those components created at its Creusot steel forge are still in use. Creusot specialises in big forgings and castings destined mainly for the nuclear market.
ASN called for a review of AREVA's Creusot operation after issues with the new European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) vessel were discovered last year at the delayed Flamanville nuclear project in northern France. For additional information, see April 15, 2015, article--Flaws Reported in French Flamanville Reactor Vessel.
"On 25th April 2016, AREVA informed ASN of the initial results of this additional analysis," the ASN stated. "They revealed irregularities in the manufacturing checks on about 400 parts produced since 1965, about 50 of which would appear to be in service in the French NPPs. These irregularities comprise inconsistencies, modifications or omissions in the production files, concerning manufacturing parameters or test results."
It added: "ASN asked AREVA to send it the list of parts concerned as rapidly as possible, along with its assessment of the consequences for the safety of the facilities, jointly with the licensees concerned."
AREVA has since stated that some of the reports relating to manufacturing and quality control at Creusot may have been falsified.
Flamanville was meant to be a showcase for the EPR technology but, like its sister project at Olkiluoto in Finland, the project is years overdue and billions of euro over budget. The U.K. is also resting the success of its new nuclear build programme on EPR technology and is on the brink of concluding a deal for the proposed 3,300- megawatt (MW) Hinkley Point C project in Somerset. That project has run into a number of financial delays in recent months. For additional information, see May 2, 2016, 2016, article-- - EDF Delays Hinkley Point C Nuclear Decision until September.
AREVA has been the subject of a rescue plan in recent times, with fellow French company Electricite de France (EPA:EDF) (EDF) (Paris) stepping in last August to purchase a controlling stake in its nuclear reactor business for 2.7 billion euro ($2.96 billion). For additional information, see August 4, 2015, article - EDF to Take AREVA's Nuclear Business in $2.96 Billion Deal.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
The company, which has provided the nuclear technology for most of the country's 58 operational reactors, told France's nuclear authority Autorite de Surete Nucleaire (ASN) that around 50 of those components created at its Creusot steel forge are still in use. Creusot specialises in big forgings and castings destined mainly for the nuclear market.
ASN called for a review of AREVA's Creusot operation after issues with the new European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) vessel were discovered last year at the delayed Flamanville nuclear project in northern France. For additional information, see April 15, 2015, article--Flaws Reported in French Flamanville Reactor Vessel.
"On 25th April 2016, AREVA informed ASN of the initial results of this additional analysis," the ASN stated. "They revealed irregularities in the manufacturing checks on about 400 parts produced since 1965, about 50 of which would appear to be in service in the French NPPs. These irregularities comprise inconsistencies, modifications or omissions in the production files, concerning manufacturing parameters or test results."
It added: "ASN asked AREVA to send it the list of parts concerned as rapidly as possible, along with its assessment of the consequences for the safety of the facilities, jointly with the licensees concerned."
AREVA has since stated that some of the reports relating to manufacturing and quality control at Creusot may have been falsified.
Flamanville was meant to be a showcase for the EPR technology but, like its sister project at Olkiluoto in Finland, the project is years overdue and billions of euro over budget. The U.K. is also resting the success of its new nuclear build programme on EPR technology and is on the brink of concluding a deal for the proposed 3,300- megawatt (MW) Hinkley Point C project in Somerset. That project has run into a number of financial delays in recent months. For additional information, see May 2, 2016, 2016, article-- - EDF Delays Hinkley Point C Nuclear Decision until September.
AREVA has been the subject of a rescue plan in recent times, with fellow French company Electricite de France (EPA:EDF) (EDF) (Paris) stepping in last August to purchase a controlling stake in its nuclear reactor business for 2.7 billion euro ($2.96 billion). For additional information, see August 4, 2015, article - EDF to Take AREVA's Nuclear Business in $2.96 Billion Deal.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
